Germanic Folklore (5) Kennings

Germanic Folklore (5) Kennings

A kenning is a circumlocution, an ambiguous or roundabout figure of speech, used instead of an ordinary noun in Old Norse, Old English, and later Icelandic poetry. Kennings are strongly associated with Old Norse-Icelandic and Old English poetry. They continued to be a feature of Icelandic poetry (including rímur) for centuries, together with the closely related heiti.

A kenning has two parts: a base-word (also known as a head-word) and a determinant. For example, the base-word of the kenning "íss rauðra randa" ('icicle of red shields' [SWORD], Einarr Skúlason: Øxarflokkr) is íss ('ice, icicle') and the determinant is rǫnd ('rim, shield-rim, shield'). The thing, person, place or being to which the kenning refers is known as its referent (in this case a sword).

A list of kennings (not complete) and a list of kennings for Odin’s name follows:

Source language	Example
axe	blood-ember
battle	spear-din
blood	Dead-Slave
blood	battle-sweat		One reference for this kenning comes from the epic poem, Beowulf. As Beowulf is in fierce combat with Grendel's Mother, he makes mention of shedding much battle-sweat.
blood	wound-sea	svarraði sárgymir
chieftain or king	breaker of rings		Alludes to a ruler breaking the golden rings upon his arm and using them to reward his followers.
death	sleep of the sword
death	flame-farewelled		Implicitly honourable death
fire	bane of wood	grand viðar
wife	girl of the houses	sól húsanna
gold	seeds of the Fyris Wolds	Fýrisvalla fræ	Hrólf Kraki spread gold on the Fyris Wolds to distract the men of the Swedish king.
gold	serpent's lair		Serpents (and dragons) were reputed to lie upon gold in their nests.
gold	Sif's hair		Derived from the story of when Loki cut off Sif's hair. In order to amend his crime, Loki had the dwarf Dvalin make new hair for Sif, a wig of gold that grew like normal hair.
gold	Kraki's seed		Hrólf Kraki spread gold on the Fyris Wolds to distract the men of the Swedish king. Can also be used to imply generosity; q.v. Hrólf Kraki.
gold, sometimes amber	Freyja's tears		Derived from the story of when Freyja could not find Óðr, her husband, the tears she shed were gold, and the trees which her tears fell upon were transmuted into amber.
honour	mind's worth	Weorðmyn dum
hook	bait-gallows
kill enemies	Feed the eagle		Killing enemies left food for the eagles
Loki	wolf's father		an allusion to Loki's fathering of Fenrir
Loki	father of the sea thread		Loki was the father of Jörmungandr, the Midgard serpent
mistletoe	Baldr's bane		The kenning derives from the story in which all plants and creatures swore never to harm Baldr save mistletoe, which, when it was overlooked, Loki used to bring about Baldr's death by tricking Hodur.
Mjollnir, Thor's hammer	Hrungnir's slayer		Hrungnir was a giant whose head was smashed by a blow from Mjollnir.
poetry	Grímnir's lip-streams		Grímnir is one of the names of Odin.
raven	swan of blood		Ravens ate the dead at battlefields.
the sea	whale-road	hron-rād
the sea	sail road	seġl-rād
the sea	whale's way	hwæl-weġ
serpent	valley-trout
shield	headland of swords	sverða nesi	There is a connection to the word "nesa" meaning subject to public ridicule/failure/shame, i.e. "the failure/shame of swords", not only "where the sword first hits/ headland of swords" Kennings can sometimes be a triple entendre.
ship	wave-swine	unnsvín
ship	sea-steed	gjálfr-marr
sky	Ymir's skull	Ymis haus
the sun	heaven-candle	heofon-candel
the sun	heaven's jewel	heofones ġim
the sun	glory of elves	álf röðull	álf röðull (alfrodull), meaning "glory-of-elves" refers both to the chariot of the sun goddess Sól and to the rider (the sun herself).
sword	blood-worm
sword	icicle of blood
sword	wound-hoe	ben-grefill
sword	leek of battle	ímun-laukr
war	weather of weapons
warrior	feeder of ravens	grennir gunn-más	"feeder of war-gull" = "feeder of raven" = "warrior" Ravens feed on dead bodies left after a battle.
warrior	destroyers of eagle's hunger	eyðendr arnar hungrs	"destroyers of eagle's hunger" = "feeders of eagle" = "warrior" Eagles, also, feed on dead bodies left after a battle.
waves	Ægir's daughters		Ægir had nine daughters called billow maidens who were personifications of the waves.
wind	breaker of trees
wolf	Gunnr's horse		Gunnr is a valkyrie.
Thor	slayer of giants, basher of trolls	felli fjörnets goða flugstalla	felli fjörnets goða flugstalla is a compound kenning. Literally feller of the life webs (fjörnets) of the gods of the flight-edges, i.e. slayer of giants, life webs (fjörnets) is a kenning in its own right since it refers directly to the operations of the Norns in severing lives, flight-edges (flugstalla) being the high and dangerous places inhabited by eagles and hawks, i.e. the icy mountains of Jotunheim.

Odin's Names

Name	Name	Meaning
(Old Norse)	(anglicized)
Aldaföðr		father of men (or of the age/world)
Aldagautr		Gautr of men (or of the age/world)
Alföðr	Alfodr	Allfather, Father of All
Algingautr		The aged Gautr
Angan Friggjar		Delight of Frigg
Arnhöfði		Eagle Head
Atriðr, Atriði		attacking rider, 'At-Rider'
Asagrim (< *Ásagrimmr)		Lord of the Aesir
Auðun		friend of wealth (Edwin, Audoin)
Bági ulfs		Enemy of the Wolf
Baldrsfaðr		Balder's Father
Báleygr	Baleyg	Flaming Eye, Shifty Eyed
Biflindi		Spear Shaker, Shield Shaker
Bileygr	Bileyg	Flashing Eye or Wavering Eye
Blindi, Blindr		Blind
Brúni, Brúnn		Brown, Bear
Böðgæðir		Battle Enhancer
Bölverkr		'Bale-Worker' or Evil Worker or Evil Deed
Bragi		Chieftain
Bróðir Vilis, Bróðir Vilja		Vili's Brother
Burr Bors		Borr's Son
Byrlindi		Distorted version of Biflindi
Darraðr, Dorruðr		Spearman
Draugadróttinn		Lord of the undead
Dresvarpr
Dróttinn		Lord of the Spear
Ein sköpuðr galdra		Sole Creator of Magical Songs
Ennibrattr		High (lit., 'straight') forehead
Eylúðr		The ever booming
Faðmbyggvir Friggjar		Dweller in Frigg's Embrace
Faðr galdr		Father of Magical Songs
Farmagnuðr, Farmögnuðr		journey empowerer
Farmaguð, Farmatýr	Farmagud, Farmatyr	God of Cargoes (or Burdens)
Farmr arma Gunnlaðar		Burden of Gunnlöð's Arms
Farmr galga		Gallows' Burden
Fengr		Fetcher or Catcher
Fimbultýr	Fimbultyr	Mighty God
Fimbulþulr	Fimbulthul	Mighty Thuler
Fjallgeiguðr		Shape god
Fjölnir[4]	Fjolnir	Wise One, concealer, "the One who is many".
Fjölsviðr	Fjolsvid, Fjolsvin	Very Wise
Fjörgynn	Fjorgyn	Masculine counterpart of feminine Fjörgyn meaning "land/earth"
Foldardróttinn		Lord of the Earth
Forni		Ancient One
Fornölvir		Ancient Ölvir
Fráríðr, Fráríði		The one who rides forth
Frumverr Friggjar		First husband of Frigg
Fundinn		The Found
Gagnráðr	Gagnrad	Advantage Counsel
Galdraföðr		Father of Magical Songs
Gangari, Ganglari, Gangleri		Wanderer or Wayweary
Gangráðr		'Gain Rede,' Contrary advisor, Journey Advisor
Gapþrosnir		The one in gaping frenzy
Gautatýr	Gautatyr	God of the Geats
Gautr	Gaut	Gautr
Geiguðr		Dangler
Geirlöðnir		Spear inviter
Geirölnir		Spear charger
Geirtýr		Gore/Spear God
Geirvaldr		Gore/Spear Master
Geldnir	Gelging	Eunuch
Ginnarr		Deceiver
Gizurr		Riddler
Gestumblindi		Blind Guest
Glapsviðr	Glapsvid, Glapsvin	Swift in Deceit, Swift Tricker, Maddener, Wise in magical spells
Goði hrafnblóts		Goði of the Raven-offering
Goðjaðarr		God Protector
Göllnir		Yeller
Gollorr		Yeller
Göllungr		Yeller
Göndlir [8]	Gondlir	Wand-Bearer, Wand-Wielder
Gramr Hliðskjálfar		King of Hliðskjalf
Grímnir	Grimnir	Hooded, Masked One
Grímr	Grim	Mask
Gunnblindi		Battle blinder
Hagvirkr		Skillful worker
Hangadróttinn		Lord of the hanged
Hangaguð, Hangatýr	Hangagud, Hangatyr	God of the Hanged
Hangi		Hanged One
Haptabeiðir		Commander of Leaders
Haptaguð	Haptagud	God of Prisoners
Haptasnytrir		Teacher of gods
Haptsönirî		Fetter Loosener
Hárbarðr	Harbard	Hoary Beard, Grey Beard
Hárr	Har	High
Harri Hliðskjálfar		Lord of Hliðskjalf
Hávi	Havi	High One
Heimþinguðr hanga		Visitor of the Hanged
Helblindi		Hel Blinder
Hengikeptr, Hengikjopt		Hang jaw
Herblindi		Host blinder
Herföðr, Herjaföðr	Herfodr, Herjafodr	Father of Hosts
Hergautr		Host Gautr
Herjan		Warrior, Harrier, Lord, Leader of Hosts
Herteitr	Herteit	Glad of War
Hertýr	Hertyr	Host-Tyr or God of Hosts
Hildolfr		Battle Wolf
Hjaldrgegnir		Engager of Battle
Hjaldrgoð		God of battle
Hjálmberi	Hjalmberi	Helmet Bearer
Hjarrandi		Screamer
Hléfreyr		Famous/barrow lord
Hleifruðr		Wayfinder
Hnikarr	Hnikar	Overthrower, Thruster
Hnikuðr	Hnikud	Overthrower
Hoárr		One Eyed
Hötter		Hatter, hat-wearer
Hovi		High One
Hrafnaguð, Hrafnáss	Hrafnagud	Raven God
Hrafnfreistuðr		Raven tester
Hrami		Fetterer, Ripper
Hrani		Blusterer
Hrjóðr		Roarer
Hroptr, Hroptatýr	Hropt, Hroptatyr	Sage
Hrosshársgrani		Horse hair moustache
Hvatmóðr		Courage of the whet-stone
Hveðrungr		Roarer or Weather-maker
Ít-rekr		"glorious ruler"
Jafnhárr	Jafnhar	'Evenhigh,' Just as High, Equally High
Jalfaðr		Yellow-brown Back
Jálg, Jálkr	Jalk	Gelding or Gelder
Jarngrímr		Iron Mask
Jólnir, Jölnir		Yule figure
Jolfr		Horse-wolf, bear
Jölfuðr, Jölföðr		Yule father
Jörmunr		The mighty one, cosmic
Kjalarr	Kjalar	Keel, Nourisher
Langbarðr	Langbard	Long Beard
Löndungr, Loðungr		Shaggy Cloak Wearer
Niðr Bors		Borr's Kin
Njótr		User, enjoyer or needed one
Ófnir		Inciter
Olgr		Protector, Hawk
Ómi	Omi	Resounding one
Óski	Oski	God of Wishes, Wished For
Rauðgrani		Red Mustache
Reiðartýr		Wagon God or God of riders
Rögnir		Chief ('He that reigns')
Rúnatýr		God of Runes
Runni vagna		Mover of Constellations
Saðr	Sadr, Sann	Truthful, Sooth
Sanngetall		Finder of Truth/Sooth
Síðgrani	Sidgrani	Long Beard
Síðhöttr	Sidhott	Broad Hat
Síðskeggr	Sidskegg	Long Beard
Sigðir		Victory giver
Sigföðr	Sigfodr	Father of Victory, War Father
Siggautr		Victory Geat
Sigrhofundr		Victory Author
Sigvagnminnka		Victory Auto Wrecker
Sigmundr		Victory protection
Sigrúnnr		Victory Tree
Sigtryggr		Sure of victory (Victory-true)
Sigtýr	Sigtyr	God of Victory, War God
Sigþrór		Successful in victory, Thriving in victory
Skilfingr	Skilfing	Trembler or he of Hlidshilf
Skollvaldr		Ruler of treachery
Sonr Bestlu		Son of Bestla
Spjalli Gauta		Friend of the Goths
Sváfnir	Svafnir	Sleep bringer, Closer
Sveigðir		Reed Bringer (see the story of Vikarr)
Sviðarr	Svidar
Sviðrir	Svidrir	Calmer
Sviðuðr
Sviðurr	Svidur	Wise One
Svipall	/	Changing, Fleeting (or shape-shifter)
Svölnir	Svolnir	Cooler
Tveggi		Double, Twofold
Tvíblindi	Tviblindi	Twice Blind
Þekkr	Thekk	Known, Welcome One
Þrasarr		Quarreler
Þriði	Thridi	Third
Þriggi		Triple
Þrór	Thror	Burgeoning, Thriving
Þróttr	Thrott	Strength
Þuðr	Thud, Thunn	Lean, Pale
Þundr	Thund	Thunderer
Uðr	Ud, Unn	Loved, Beloved, Striver
Váfuðr	Vafud	Wanderer
Váfuðr Gungnis		Swinger of Gungnir
Váði vitnis		Foe of the Wolf
Vakr	Vak	Wakeful, Awakener
Valdr galga		Ruler of Gallows
Valdr vagnbrautar		Ruler of Heaven
Valföðr	Valfodr	Father of the Slain
Valgautr	Valgaut	Slaughter-Geat, Geat of the Slain
Valkjosandi		Chooser of the Slain
Valtamr, Valtam		Slain Tame, The Warrior
Valtýr		Slain God
Valþognir		Slain Receiver
Vegtam	/	Wanderer or Way-tame
Veratýr	Veratyr	God of men, God of being
Viðfräger		Wide Famed
Viðrir	Vidrir	Stormer
Viðrímnir, Viðhrimnir		Contrary screamer or 'wide hoary-beard'
Viðurr	Vidur	Killer
Vingnir		Swinger
Vinr Lopts		Friend of Loptr
Vinr Lóðurs		Friend of Lóðurr
Vinr Míms		Friend of Mímir
Vinr stalla		Friend of Altars
Vófuðr		Dangler
Völundr rómu		Smith of Battle
Yggr	Ygg	Terrible One
Ýjungr, Ýrungr		Stormy or of the primal streams

Freya's Names

Name (Old Norse) Name meaning Notes Notes Gefn 'the giver' The name Gefn likely means "she who gives (prosperity or  happiness) and is generally considered connected to the goddess name Gefjon, but the etymology of the name Gefjon  has been a matter of dispute. The root Gef- in Gef-jon is generally theorized as related to the root Gef- in the name  Gef-n." The connection between the two names has resulted  in etymological results of Gefjun meaning "the giving one".  The names Gefjun and Gefn are both related to the   Alagabiae or Ollogabiae, Matron groups. Hörn 'flaxen'(?) Appears in the Swedish place names Härnösand, Härnevi and  Järnevi, stemming from the reconstructed Old Norse place  name *Hörnar-vé (meaning "Hörn's vé").[8] In addition, the  name Hörn also appears as the name of a troll woman in  Nafnaþulur.[9] Mardöll Potentially 'sea-brightener' by way of mar ('sea') combined with a second element that may be related to Dellingr, indicating light. The name may otherwise mean 'the one who makes the sea swell'. May be connected to the god name Heimdallr. Skjálf 'shaker' Also the name the daughter of a Finnish king in Ynglinga saga.  Due to necklace imagery in the Finnish Skjálf's tale (Freyja herself owns Brísingamen) a connection between  the two  names may exist. Sýr 'sow' The pig was an important symbol of the Vanir and sacrificial practices (blót) associated with the group, particularly in association with Freyja and her brother Freyr. Thröng 'throng' Thrungva 'throng' Valfreyja 'Lady of the Slain' or 'Freyja of the Slain' Vanadís 'the dís of the vanir' The name "van-child" ('child of the Vanir') for "boar" may be  connected.

(Source: Wikipedia)